Japanese yellow ant

The Japanese yellow ant (Formica yessensis) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae. In agronomic practice, this species is considered an indirect pest because its life activity is inextricably linked to the protection and spread of various species of aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects on cultivated plants.

This species is characterized by polygyny, the presence of multiple egg-laying queens in a single nest, which facilitates rapid population growth and the formation of massive supercolonies. Activity begins in early spring as they search for food sources and locations to relocate their mutualistic symbionts.

The damage caused by these insects lies in their harmful symbiosis with sap-sucking pests. Ants protect aphid colonies from natural enemies like lady beetles and lacewings, and assist in spreading aphids to young shoots of fruit trees, berry bushes, and ornamental plants, leading to critical infestations.

The result of their activity is a severe weakening of plants due to the continuous sap-sucking by aphids. Leaves become deformed and curled, shoot growth is stunted, and the excreted honeydew serves as a substrate for sooty mold, which inhibits photosynthesis and significantly reduces crop yield and quality.

Protection measures require a comprehensive approach: the use of sticky bands on tree trunks, the application of targeted insecticides against aphids, as well as the destruction of ant hills and the use of barrier agents. It is crucial to monitor the population of sucking pests, as the presence of honeydew is the primary factor attracting ants to the garden area.